Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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392. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether it is acceptable that students studying animal science, level 6, in Croom, County Limerick, which is run by Coláiste Chiaráin, have been contacted by the awarding body, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, stating that four of the modules being covered had to be accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland but had not been so covered and therefore must be scrapped, all work submitted in respect of these modules is now void and students must now take up extra modules to fulfil course requirements and obtain their qualification; if her attention has been drawn to this and her plans to address same; if she will ensure such instances do not recur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16686/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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My Department funds Further Education and Training Courses through SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority. These courses are delivered locally by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The ETBs are responsible for the organisation of courses including meeting and adhering to the award validation requirements for courses.

The Department understands that an issue arose with the special validation requirements for a number of modules with the Animal Science Course which is accredited by QQI and the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

The Department is seeking clarification from the relevant parties and will be in contact with the Deputy in the near future.